Alumni Perspective: Looking Back on my AmeriCorps Service Year

This post was written by CHC alumnus Dahsan Gary. 

Series: Healthy Futures

Dahsan served at the Respiratory Health Association as an Asthma Educator from 2012-2013.

Service with Chicago Health Corps was the most influential experience of my life.  I served as an asthma educator with Respiratory Health Association from 2012 to 2013 and spent the majority of my service teaching children how to manage their asthma. 

I really learned how to connect with people during my time with AmeriCorps.  I connected with the students I taught, with outside community partners and of course with my fellow members.  During my time with AmeriCorps, I grew as a person and became more compassionate, driven, and altruistic.

Beyond this, I also grew a lot professionally.  AmeriCorps gave me the skills and knowledge to be a competent employee and shaped me into the professional I wanted to be.  It helped me to solidify what I wanted to do with my life and it reinforced the fulfillment and joy I feel when I help others.  I can never thank AmeriCorps enough for helping mold me into the person I am today.

Thanks AmeriCorps, and happy 20 outstanding years of service!